Career and Education Opportunities for Recreational Therapists in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has a population of 6,593,587, which has grown by 3.85% over the past 10 years. Nicknamed the "Bay State," Massachusetts's capital and biggest city is Boston.

About 930 people are currently employed as recreational therapists in Massachusetts. By 2016, this is expected to shrink 3% to about 900 people employed. This is not quite as good as the nation as a whole, where employment opportunities for recreational therapists are expected to grow by about 14.6%. In general, recreational therapists plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions.

Recreational therapists earn approximately $18 hourly or $39,040 annually on average in Massachusetts. Nationally they average about $18 per hour or $38,370 yearly. Recreational therapists earn less than people working in the category of Athletic and Occupational generally in Massachusetts and less than people in the Athletic and Occupational category nationally. Recreational therapists work in a variety of jobs, including: activity assistant, recreational therapy aide, and dance therapist.

In 2008, there were a total of 4,251,139 jobs in Massachusetts. The average annual income was $50,897 in 2008, up from $49,644 the preceding year. The unemployment rate in Massachusetts was 8.4% in 2009, which has grown by 3.1% since the previous year. Roughly 33.2% of Massachusetts residents have college degrees, which is higher than the national average.

The top industries in Massachusetts include wholesale electronic markets and brokers, portfolio management, and navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing. Notable tourist destinations include the Boston Fire Museum, the Cat Fund, and the Archives of American Art Smithsonian Institution.

CITIES WITH Recreational Therapist OPPORTUNITIES IN Massachusetts

JOB DESCRIPTION: Recreational Therapist

Recreational Therapist video from the State of New Jersey Dept. of Labor and Workforce Development

In general, recreational therapists plan, direct, or coordinate medically-approved recreation programs for patients in hospitals, nursing homes, or other institutions. They also activities include sports, trips, and arts and crafts.

Every day, recreational therapists are expected to be able to articulate ideas and problems. They need to listen to and understand others in meetings.

Similar jobs with educational opportunities in Massachusetts include:

Audiologist. Assess and treat persons with hearing and related disorders. May fit hearing aids and provide auditory training. May perform research related to hearing problems.

Occupational Safety and Health Inspector. Review, evaluate, and analyze work environments and design programs and procedures to control, eliminate, and prevent disease or injury caused by chemical, physical, and biological agents or ergonomic factors. May conduct inspections and enforce adherence to laws and regulations governing the health and safety of individuals. May be employed in the public or private sector.

Occupational Therapist. Assess, plan, organize, and participate in rehabilitative programs that help restore vocational, homemaking, and daily living skills, as well as general independence, to disabled persons.

Speech and Language Teacher. Assess and treat persons with speech, language, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.

LOCATION INFORMATION: Massachusetts

Massachusetts photo by PapaDunes

Massachusetts has a population of 6,593,587, which has grown by 3.85% in the last 10 years. Nicknamed the "Bay State," Massachusetts's capital and largest city is Boston. In 2008, there were a total of 4,251,139 jobs in Massachusetts. The average annual income was $50,897 in 2008, up from $49,644 in 2007. The unemployment rate in Massachusetts was 8.4% in 2009, which has grown by 3.1% since the previous year. About 33.2% of Massachusetts residents have college degrees, which is higher than the national average.

The top industries in Massachusetts include wholesale electronic markets and brokers, portfolio management, and navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing. Notable tourist destinations include the Boston Sparks Association, the Gibson House Museum, and the Boston Fire Museum.